Indeed, this generation especially youths can discuss issues of politics, sports and entertainment on the international level but are not much concerned about the environment and few have information about the changes going on in their environment.
Researchers and advocates claim that many do not even agree that there is a continuous ongoing change in the climate. Experts have however argued that if indeed there is no climate change, there is no harm in people maintaining cleaner air, water, land and energy for health benefits, adding that in today’s world, the way to go is the green practice.
It is against this background of obvious lack of interest in issues that relate to the climate and environment as well as how the changes taking place affect the people of the world that advocacy had been ongoing all over the world.
In Nigeria, one of the organizations that deal in advocacy of ensuring a greener environment is a Lagos based organization, REES Africa which believes in putting an end to energy poverty and promote environmental sustainability by redefining little actions and habits of individuals and ultimately transforming lifestyle with a focus to make affordable, sustainable and off grid energy access for all Africans (starting with Nigeria) a reality by the year 2030 through proactive actions in tackling challenges that deter sustainability to reform the energy sector.
And based on the established fact that climate change is the only global occurrence that connects every living person all over the world, REES Africa has held a lot of sensitization projects to encourage people to embrace the culture of a clean and greener environment.
And based on the belief that it is worth the effort, the organization has made it its mission to clean up the environment periodically and share information on the benefits of a clean environment.
One of such is the first organisation led walk against climate change in Africa which took place recently in Lagos. The five-kilometre walk tagged ‘walk the climate change talk’ was a collaborative effort between REES Africa and several sustainability-oriented partners.
The walk which started at Alausa bus stop, Lagos which is a stone throw from Lagos State Ministry of Environment, rounded off at the Ikeja local government, Lagos attracted the attention of the people as all strategic partners including Alert for Funds, Salpha Energy, Rev Foods and Beverages, Climate Wednesday, The National Youth Network, OVIWCE, Recycle Points, Susty Vibes, girlhubafrica and a number of other green organisations were in attendance.
The masses were educated on the subject of environmental sustainability and hundreds of people joined in the walk and were engaged in a one on one sensitization about the effects of climate change and how their little actions could influence their environment.
The Walk was also supported by the Lagos state government who provided security and traffic control personnel. A representative of the Ministry of Environment, Dr Durojaiye, a scientist from the climate change unit also gave a short lecture while educative materials on climate change was distributed to the people.
It was not only about walking and giving lecture; there was also cleaning up of the environment as the procession moved around, encouraging the people to also join in the clean up.
At the end of the project, more than a thousand people who knew nothing about climate change were educated and taught to be advocates for a greener and cleaner environment.
and then